Many times in video games, characters are defined by their relationships. This is only accentuated by familial relationships with these NPC (or sometimes playable) characters, specifically in regard to parents and grandparents. These older, wiser people are sometimes seen asking for characters to do their chores (which are often miniscule in comparison to saving the world), but more often as guardians of some sort that offer very useful advice.
Some characters aren't strictly grandparents, and certainly not the most helpful and loving ones. Nevertheless, they can act as wise elderly figures who impart wisdom from decades of unique experience, while also providing invaluable life lenses and emotional or moral support.
7 Heihachi Mishima: Tekken Series
When it comes to the Tekken series, there are no villainous forces quite as prominent as the complex Heihachi Mishima. Especially considering that throughout much of the fighting game franchise, he has attempted to secure the Devil Gene by way of murdering much of his family (as seen in his fantastic and outlandish ending sequence in Tekken 5).
However, to the extent that Heihachi acts as the driving force for lead protagonist (and grandson) Jin Kazama’s journey, one could almost argue that Heihachi is a necessary evil. When considering his backstory as well as his destined fate, it is almost impossible to not feel some degree of sympathy for the elderly fighter.
6 Kairi’s Grandmother: Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts was bred by series creator Tetsuya Nomura under the mindset of melding Disney and Square Enix properties together in a special way. However, underneath that is a very complex message regarding matters of the heart, as well as a deep backstory about the ancient Keyblade War in which light was pitted against darkness.
Originally introduced to audiences halfway through the first Kingdom Hearts game, Kairi’s grandmother is the original teller of this story. Although she has only appeared in a couple of the series’ titles (most prominently in Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep), her identity is still an enigma; a character that many believe will be of the utmost importance in the games to come.
5 Toadsworth: Super Mario Sunshine
Often in pop culture, grandparents are seen as overly protective yet sweet elderly types who act as the moral backbone for main character(s). Although technically not her grandparent, Toadsworth’s very sweet and paternal handling of Princess Peach within the Super Mario franchise as her elderly steward (as well as his supervision of the other Toads) can only be described as grandfatherly.
Furthermore, Toadsworth can usually be found along Mario and Luigi’s journeys, constantly blaming them –or more often himself– whenever Princess Peach is kidnapped (which is a regular occurrence). It is equal parts comical, endearing, and heartwarming.
4 Edward Kenway: Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
When players first meet Edward Kenway in Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, he is far from the character he will become by the game's epilogue. Edward is not Assassin material in the slightest, at first, being rather an irresponsible hot head. In due time, though, he matures, learns to stop getting in his own way and lives up to his full potential. This occurs after he learns he is a father and realizes that he has alienated everyone who was once at his side. Following this, Edward establishes himself as a co-leader of the British Assassin’s Brotherhood and eventually becomes a Master Assassin.
From there, Edward acts in a much more paternal, passive way while trying to further the Assassins' reach, all the while keeping the villainous Templars at bay. Although his son Haytham ironically becomes a member of the Templars, his grandson Ratonhnhaké:ton/Connor Kenway returns his family name to its former glory later in the series by re-joining the Assassin Brotherhood. Suffice to say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
3 Kiryu Kazuma: Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life
Yakuza started as a beat-em-up game series all the way back in 2005. However, over the years, what started as a rather intense third-person experience has evolved into a deep story rooted in both violence and family. It's very fitting, then, that rogue enforcer Kiryu Kazuma is suddenly forced to become a grandfather in Yakuza 6: Song of Life, when his adopted daughter Haruka shows up with her newborn son Haruto.
However, the real intrigue comes from watching Kazuma temporarily surrender his supervisory duties to get into street fights with rival gang members, and then quickly reverting to being a sweet old man. Nothing shows off the unique Yakuza series flavor quite like an elderly Japanese gang member essentially saying “I’m getting too old for this” after fighting off a street gang with a bicycle.
2 Yuriko: Ghost of Tsushima
In Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima, players assume the role of samurai Jin Sakai as they fight back an impending Mongol invasion (one of the game's historically accurate details). Along the way, players can get to know some supporting characters a bit more intimately by going through multiple side quests). Among those are the Tales of Tsushima, which include the story of Yuriko, Jin’s elderly caretaker who is the only real “family” that he has left (besides his uncle). Yuriko also acts as Jin’s last link to both of his deceased parents and his life prior to the Mongol invasion.
However, even more than that, Yuriko acts as a beacon of sorts, allowing him to toe the line between samurai and Ghost. After all, she herself is kind but understands that desperate times call for desperate measures. She teaches Jin that it's possible to remain true to one's convictions at the same time.
1 Cranky Kong: Donkey Kong Series
Some fans may not know this, but Cranky Kong is, canonically speaking, the original Donkey Kong from the 1981 arcade game and the Kong family patriarch. The cantankerous grandfather of the modern Donkey Kong can often be found begrudgingly (but lovingly) looking over the rest of the family while also imparting life lessons in his own grandfatherly way.
However, his real utility comes from his ability to help the Kong family use magic to aid in their adventures with their many animal friends, as well as offering many useful tips along the way. He has even been known to dive back into the fray himself, as one of the main playable characters in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. In that title, his moveset is a necessary tool and often comes in handy.
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